Bulldogs Boosted for NSW Cup Finals

The Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs NSW Cup side has been bolstered for week one of the NSW Cup Finals series by the inclusion of four players who featured in the Club's final NRL match for the year on Sunday.

Coach Justin Holbrook has named Jonathan Wright, Ben Roberts, Josh Reynolds and Michael Hodgson in his starting side for the clash with Balmain Ryde-Eastwood, after each played a role in the Bulldogs 36-22 victory over Canberra at ANZ Stadium.

In addition, Joel Romelo has been named at halfback for Saturday's first versus eighth clash at Belmore Sports Ground after missing the Raiders game with a hamstring strain.

In all, the Bulldogs boast 11 players - Wright, Roberts, Reynolds, Hodgson, and Romelo alongside Trent Cutler, Michael Lett, Bryson Goodwin, Jake Foster, Martin Taupau and Chris Armit - who have played NRL this year in their side for Saturday

In addition, four more players named in the 19 man squad have played NRL in previous years - Tim Browne, Brad Morrin, Junior Tia-Kilifi and Daniel Rauicava.

However the side will be without Gary Warburton, who has been ruled out due to a groin strain.

The Bulldogs come into Saturday's match having defeated the Tigers 24-20 at Leichaardt Oval last Saturday afternoon, a match in which the Bulldogs led 12-nil at half time.

The sixth placed Bulldogs came from behind to defeat Canberra 38-28 on Sunday at ANZ Stadium, giving them momentum heading into their clash with the third placed Sharks.

Despite finishing lower down the Toyota Cup ladder this season the Bulldogs will be searching for their third win over the Sharks this season, winning 30-26 in round 15 at ANZ Stadium and 48-16 in round 23 at Toyota Stadium.

While the starting side is unchanged, coach Andy Patmore has included Lionel O'Mally on the bench in place of TJ Taotua, while Ollie Gordon has also dropped out of the match day squad.